New religion

[Epimethean]

BINGO ...

[Carnavon]

In the first place, Christianity would have died an early death if what was recorded in Scripture were falsehoods

The Greek gods lasted for 2 millenia and the Egyptian gods for twice that before both were stamped out violently by xtian thugs. Using your ridiculous analogy they should be twice as true as xtianity?

You are quite correct, it was not really supporting my argument. The aspect that I considered was that Christianity was strongly opposed by the religious leaders at the time and they could easily have proven falsehoods if there were indeed any. Such as the claims that Jesus died, there was darkness at the time of his death, the tomb was empty despite being guarded, and he appeared to many (500+) after his resurrection.

[xxxtobymac]

In the first place, Christianity would have died an early death if what was recorded in Scripture were falsehoods

The Greek gods lasted for 2 millenia and the Egyptian gods for twice that before both were stamped out violently by xtian thugs. Using your ridiculous analogy they should be twice as true as xtianity?

You are quite correct, it was not really supporting my argument. The aspect that I considered was that Christianity was strongly opposed by the religious leaders at the time and they could easily have proven falsehoods if there were indeed any. Such as the claims that Jesus died, there was darkness at the time of his death, the tomb was empty despite being guarded, and he appeared to many (500+) after his resurrection.

but their is a problem, other than the bible. there is no proof jesus ever even existed. and a book that is written by "belivers" with no way to measure or to examine the truth. is not credible evidence.

[IATIA]

The aspect that I considered was that Christianity was strongly opposed by the religious leaders at the time and they could easily have proven falsehoods if there were indeed any.

Obviously that is not so. Just check the numerous posts from theists here on this site. Their ultimate response to pure logic or scientific evidence is "goddidit". There is no reasoning with most theists and when all else fails, (as it always does) even the most reasonable ones still fall back to "goddidit".

The bible says god exists and wrote the bible. That is the extent of a theist's 'proof'.

[The Grand Nudger]

You are quite correct, it was not really supporting my argument. The aspect that I considered was that Christianity was strongly opposed by the religious leaders at the time and they could easily have proven falsehoods if there were indeed any. Such as the claims that Jesus died, there was darkness at the time of his death, the tomb was empty despite being guarded, and he appeared to many (500+) after his resurrection.

Firstly, you may be surprised to know that the classical arguments against christian god boys are actually older than the jesus narrative to begin with. They didn't have anything to prove false. Why are you assuming that they would even give a shit. Early christians weren't exactly the upper crust and cream of the crop buddy. Those things happened in a book, just like the rest of the book.

[Minimalist]

The aspect that I considered was that Christianity was strongly opposed by the religious leaders at the time

I'm going to take the chance that you are sincere and ask you "who?"

The evidence for systematic Roman oppression of xtians begins in the middle of the 3d century AD. The emperor Decius issued an edict.

Roman writers only seem to take notice of xtians in the late 2d century.

Prior to that we have only the brief report of Pliny the Younger ( c 110 AD) who came across a group which called themselves xtians but who don't seem to have been very dogmatic about it.

http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/persecutions.html

The Roman Empire lasted more than a thousand years and persecuted Christians for fewer than twelve of them. The 'Christian Empire' also lasted more than a thousand years and persecuted non-Christians through all of them.

[Carnavon]

I just barfed because I saw Lee Strobel. You could have at least referenced somebody like William Lane Craig... even though he's delusional too, he makes for a more interesting argument.

Testimony is bullshit. Do you want testimonies of faith at your murder trial, when you know you're innocent, but everyone is sure and has faith that you did it? What if the evidence would clear you, but they won't allow it? Is that cool with you that testimonies of faith would only be admissible.

Of course not. The faith that you murdered someone could endure forever. Faith means nothing in the real world. Only evidence. It's drivel because it's the same baseless crap we hear all the time from theists.

Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism have been around longer than Christianity. How could you not bow and kiss the feet of Krishna? How could you not seek enlightenment by keeping your mouth shut and forming no attachments? How could you worship that false prophet?

If endurance proves something true, then there is some religions more true than Christianity.

See my siggy for details about how christianity got it's followers.

I referred to Lee Strobel and his testimony to indicate that a person (and more specifically an intelligent, educated (and in this specific case an atheist – as is the case with CS Lewis) can indeed come to a logical and reasonable conclusion that what is stated in the Bible is true.

Faith means nothing and evidence is all that counts? On what evidence do you claim that first life started from non-living matter?

Christianity did not start with the new testament. Followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, but if you read the Bible, it starts with the very first two people on earth. Christians do not ignore the Old Testament. To the contrary, much of what is in the new testament refers to the Old Testament.

What is a false prophet?

---

The aspect that I considered was that Christianity was strongly opposed by the religious leaders at the time

I'm going to take the chance that you are sincere and ask you "who?"

The evidence for systematic Roman oppression of xtians begins in the middle of the 3d century AD. The emperor Decius issued an edict.

Roman writers only seem to take notice of xtians in the late 2d century.

Prior to that we have only the brief report of Pliny the Younger ( c 110 AD) who came across a group which called themselves xtians but who don't seem to have been very dogmatic about it.

http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/persecutions.html

The Roman Empire lasted more than a thousand years and persecuted Christians for fewer than twelve of them. The 'Christian Empire' also lasted more than a thousand years and persecuted non-Christians through all of them.

Kindly note my remark "at the time" (more specifically the religious leaders) and also earlier reference to present persecution. The present discussion is about discussing whether facts stated in the Bible is true (which evidence that can be verified bears out) and if that is the case, one should seriously consider the implications for one's own life and the hereafter.
I again also wish to address prophecy and this may be an interesting topic to explore in more detail. For if prophecy and claims made in the Bible is true and literal fulfillment a fact, there is a day of judgement.

[IATIA]

Christians do not ignore the Old Testament. To the contrary, much of what is in the new testament refers to the Old Testament.

If I remember correctly, did not jesus say forget the old gods and forget the old ways?

[Epimethean]

"The present discussion is about discussing whether facts stated in the Bible is [sic] true ..."

Then let's end this charade. Facts? How about suppositions at best, fables and parables in the middle, and outright lies on the nearer end of the likelihood spectrum.

Using the bible as a factual document is like constructing a submarine using only 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

[IATIA]

Using the bible as a factual document is like constructing a submarine using only 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

You mean that will not work? Damn! Well, I guess I should tear this thing up then.